Bingo carrying case

ABSTRACT

A carrying case adapted for the carrying and storage of playing equipment used in the playing of the game of Bingo, such as Bingo chips, pencils, markers, a chip holding apron, and the like, the case comprised of two separate mating circular half portions being hinged to a base at one end and having cooperating mating handles defined at the opposite end, the interior of the case being sectionalized to specifically hold the various aforementioned game playing components in a manner permitting ease of usage thereof by an individual.

O United States Patent 1 [111 3,871,519

Groomes Mar. 18, 1975 [5 BINGO CARRYING CASE 3,306,462 2/1967 Cruz 206/75 l 19 M' 2 [76] Inventor: Jacqueline Groomes, 40 E. Sidney 3 483 954 2/ 69 Ichalskl 06/223 Ave., Mount Vernon, NY. 10550 Primary Examiner-William 1. Pr1ce 1 Flled? 1973 Assistant Examiner-Bruce H. Bernstein [21] Appl. No.: 427,588

[57] ABSTRACT [52] Cl ggg i g gg gf f g d A carrying case adapted for the carrying and storage 51 I Cl B6/5d i 11/29 of playing equipment used in the playing of the game 'l 190 4 3 of Bingo, such as Bingo chips, pencils, markers, a chip 1 g 5 & g holding apron, and the like, the case comprised of two 1 B separate mating circular half portions being hinged to l a base at one end and having cooperating mating handles defined at the opposite end, the interior of the [56] References and case being sectionalized to specifically hold the vari- UNITED STATES PATENTS ous aforementioned game playing components in a 1,624,657 4/1927 Davidson 206/451 1 manner permitting ease of usage thereof by an individ- 2,l22,738 7/1938 Drummond et a1 206/4511 uaL 3,010,552 11/1961 Davidson 220/4 E 3,171,700 3/1965 Parsell et a1. 206/223 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures ,lll i 1 BINGO CARRYING CASE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to carrying cases and more particularly to a novel carrying case specifically adapted for the carrying of Bingo playing components therein and wherein the carrying case and Bingo chips are decorated with selectable astrological signs.

The game of Bingo has always been popular and is now of an ever increasing popularity as an enjoyable past time with Bingo games being held by many establishments such as churches, clubs and the like. However, for an individual to be able to attend such Bingo playing sessions it is necessary that the individual be prepared with those items conventionally needed to play Bingo, such as a card covering chips, pencils, markers, chip aprons, and the like with most individuals lugging these items about in a paper or plastic bag or the like and then having to manipulate the sack in a manner to remove the desired items therefrom as required, this being inconvenient to the individual and a nuisance to other players at the game as such normally might slow the play of the game to the aggravation of both the individual and other players.

The present invention recognizes the enjoyment of Bingo and the problems associated with the play thereof as to the transporting of the various items needed in such play, with the present invention providing a novel solution thereto in the form ofa lilghtweight and compact carrying case hinged along one edge to open by releasing a latch device in a manner to expose the interior of the case in which there is carried the required Bingo chips, pencils, markers and Bingo chip apron in a manner readily accessible thereto by an individual using the same, the carrying case being attractive in appearance. 1

Further, the present invention provides for a decorated Bingo carrying case and associated Bingo chips wherein such decorations are depicted as astrological signs which the individual may select at the time of purchase of the carrying case and components therein as being the astrological sign of the individual player.

Among the features and provisions of the present invention is the provision of a Bingo carrying case having therein the various items conventionally required to play the game of Bingo and which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods; one which is possessed of few parts and which therefore is unlikely to get out of order; one which is of a rugged and durable construction and which therefore may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand many years of intended usage; one which is easy to use and reliable and efficient in operation; one which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in appearance; and one which is otherwise well adapted to perform the services required of it.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the carrying case of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the carrying case;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the carrying case in the fully opened position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the Bingo chip apron;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along Line 5-5 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a Bingo chip having an astrological sign thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail there is illustrated a preferred form of a Bingo carrying case constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally in its entirety by the reference numeral 10 and which is comprised of two separate eight inch diameter circular halves 11 and 12 that are semi-oblong in cross-section with each provided with a base portion 13 and 14 which are hinged together by a piano type hinge 15 extending completely thereacross such that the sections 11 and 12 are pivotable relative to each other between a closed position where the sections are in mating engagement with each other, and an open position where the sections are disposed substantially co-planar such as seen in FIG. 3.

Each section 11 and 12 is provided at the circumferal portion thereof opposed to the respective base portions 13 and 14 with handle members 16 and 17 respectively which handle members mate together when the case is in the closed position for ease in carrying of the case. Further, disposed centrally of handle member 16 is a latch member 21 and disposed centrally of handle member 17 in a position to engage with latch member 21 when the sections 11 and 12 are in closed mating position is a hook member 22, the latch member detachably attachable to the hook member to retain the case in the closed position.

Section 11 is provided interiorly thereof with a semicircular substantially flat platform 31 which is provided with a pair of resilient holders 32 for retaining therebetween pencils 33 or the like, with a pair of resilient holders 34 also being provided for retaining therebetween a pair of markers 35 or the like, the resilient members 32 and 34 extending normal to the diametric axis of the platform 31. The platform 31 terminates at edge 36 which, in conjunction with the remaining interior of the section 11 defines a pocket type compartment 37 which is adapted to receive therein in a rolled up condition a Bingo chip apron 38, the details of which are seen when the apron is unrolled as shown in FIG. 4.

The apron 38 is of a substantially conventional configuration having a neck engaging loop portion 41, a pair of weight encircling straps 42 adapted to encircle an individuals waist when the apron is being worn and be tied in a conventional manner behind the individuals back, a protective portion 43 having Bingo chip holding pockets 44 defined thereon, and a decorative astrological sign design 45 imprinted thereon, this sign corresponding to a similar astrological sign 46 provided on the exterior surface of section 12 of case 10.

Section 12 is provided interiorly thereof with a circular platform 51 having a plurality of radially extending rectangularly shaped pockets 52 defined therein and extending radially outwardly therefrom, each of the pockets adapted to hold a plurality of tandemly disposed Bingo chips 53 therein with each of such chips being of a substantially flat circular configuration. Each of the chips 53 is provided on a face surface thereof with a design 54 which is an astrological sign of the same type as the sign 45 on apron 38 and the sign 46 on carrying case section 12.

lt is to be understood that the Bingo carrying case may be provided in any desired color or decoration and that similarly, the Bingo chips 53 may be likewise provided in any desired color or decoration. The preferred embodiment would manufacture the carrying case out of high density polystyrene plastic which possesses the desirable characteristics of hardness and stability. The Bingo chips 53 may be manufactured of the same plastic or may be manufactured of a resilient plastic such as polypropolene plastic such as would preferably be used in the manufacture also of the hinge 15.

Further, it is to be understood that a clear transparent plastic sheeting 60 is provided over platform 51 and chips 53 disposed in pockets 52 for retaining the chips in position, the sheeting 60 being readily removed therefrom to provide freedom of access to the chips 53 when needed and with the sheet being replaced thereon after all chips have been returned to their respective pockets and prior to the closing of the carrying sections 11 and 12.

it is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. A Bingo carrying case adapted for the carrying of the various items required for use in the play of the game of Bingo, the carrying case comprising a housing bisected into two substantially identical sections,'each of said sections having a substantially circular body portion with a semi-oblong cross-section, each circular section terminating in a base member at one end and having a handle member at the opposite end, adjacent bottom edges of each of said base members being pivotally attached together to provide swinging movement of said sections relative to each other between a case opened position and a case closed position, latch means disposed adjacent said handle members on each of said sections and adapted to detachably attach said sections in their respective closed positions, said first section having an astrological sign disposed on the exterior surface thereof, said first section having interiorly thereof a circular platform, means on said platform for retaining a plurality of tandemly disposed Bingo chips thereon, a plurality of Bingo chips each being of a substantially flat circular configuration with each having an astrological sign disposed on at least one face thereof with said sign being the same general sign as disposed on the exterior surface of said section, said second section having disposed interiorly thereof a substantially flat semi-circular platform, a first pair of resilient means disposed on said platform and adapted to resiliently retain a pair of pencils and the like therein, a second pair of resilient means disposed on said platform and adapted to retain a pair of markers and the like therein, said resilient means being disposed along a vertical diametric axis of said platform and extending at right angles thereto along the plane of said platform, said platform having a terminal edge defining with said section a semi-circular pocket type compartment, and a Bingo chip apron rolled up onto itself and received in said pocket with said apron having disposed on the face surface thereof an astrological sign of the same type as found on said Bingo chips and said section member.

2. The carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for retaining said plurality of chips on said first section platform comprises a plurality of radially extending angularly spaced apart pockets each having a generally rectangular configuration and extending ra dially outwardly from the center of said platform toward the outer edges thereof, said pockets each adapted to receive therein a plurality of Bingo chips in tandem relationship with each other.

3. The carrying case as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a transparent sheet member contoured to fit over said first section platform and said Bingo chips disposed in said plurality of recesses therein, said transparent sheet being removable from said platform to provide access to said Bingo chips and being replaceable on said platform to retain said Bingo chips temporarily in position during transport of said carrying case.

4. The carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein said apron comprises a body portion adapted to be disposed in front of an individual, a-neck engaging loop portion adapted to fit about the neck of an individual, a pair of straps projecting outwardly from opposite side edges of the body portion and adapted to encircle an individuals waist and be tied together behind the individuals back, a pair of Bingo chip receiving pockets disposed on the front surface of said body member, and an astrological sign imprinted on said body member in a position above said pockets.

5. The carrying case as set forth in claim 4 wherein said carrying case and said Bingo chips are manufactured of polypropolene plastic and wherein said carrying case is manufactured of polystyrene plastic materlal 

1. A Bingo carrying case adapted for the carrying of the various items required for use in the play of the game of Bingo, the carrying case comprising a housing bisected into two substantially identical sections, each of said sections having a substantially circular body portion with a semi-oblong crosssection, each circular section terminating in a base member at one end and having a handle member at the opposite end, adjacent bottom edges of each of said base members being pivotally attached together to provide swinging movement of said sections relative to each other between a case opened position and a case closed position, latch means disposed adjacent said handle members on each of said sections and adapted to detachably attach said sections in their respective closed positions, said first section having an astrological sign disposed on the exterior surface thereof, said first section having interiorly thereof a circular platform, means on said platform for retaining a plurality of tandemly disposed Bingo chips thereon, a plurality of Bingo chips each being of a substantially flat circular configuration with each having an astrological sign disposed on at least one face thereof with said sign being the same general sign as disposed on the exterior surface of said section, said second section having disposed interiorly thereof a substantially flat semi-circular platform, a first pair of resilient means disposed on said platform and adapted to resiliently retain a pair of pencils and the like therein, a second pair of resilient means disposed on said platform and adapted to retain a pair of markers and the like therein, said resilient means being disposed along a vertical diametric axis of said platform and extending at right angles thereto along the plane of said platform, said platform having a terminal edge defining with said section a semi-circular pocket type compartment, and a Bingo chip apron rolled up onto itself and received in said pocket with said apron having disposed on the face surface thereof an astrological sign of the same type as found on said Bingo chips and said section member.
 2. The carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for retaining said plurality of chips on said first section platform comprises a plurality of radially extending angularly spaced apart pockets each having a generally rectangular configuration and extending radially outwardly from the center of said platform toward the outer edges thereof, said pockets each adapted to receive therein a plurality of Bingo chips in tandem relationship with each other.
 3. The carrying case as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a transparent sheet member contoured to fit over said first section platform and said Bingo chips disposed in said plurality of recesses therein, said transparent sheet being removable from said platform to provide access to said Bingo chips and being replaceable on said platform to retain said Bingo chips temporarily in position during transport of said carrying case.
 4. The carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein said apron comprises a body portion adapted to be disposed in front of an individual, a neck engaging loop portion adapted to fit about the neck of an individual, a pair of straps projecting outwardly from opposite side edges of the body portion and adapted to encircle an individual''s waist and be tied together behind the individual''s back, a pair of Bingo chip receiving pockets disposed on the front surface of said body member, and an astrological sign imprinted on said body member in a position above said pockets.
 5. The carrying case as set forth in claim 4 wherein said carrying case and said Bingo chips are manufactured of polypropolene plastic and wherein said carrying case is manufactured of polystyrene plastic material. 